Transmission Oil Change along with new/cleaned filter. AW4 - XJ Trans

[Logans91XJ]

I have read a ton of pros and cons on doing Transmission Oil change. My XJ has about 157,000 on it and I have no idea when the fluid was changed last. The fluid is has a nice Dark Red color to it but doesn't smell burnt and doesn't shift bad at all.

I wanted to take a bucket of fresh Trans and then start the Jeep and let it pump fresh trans oil while it syphons the old crap out.

Any Takers or ideas

 

[beardus supremous]

as long as it sucks the new fluid in i don't see why this wouldn't work. however there is a trans machine that will do this as well. i brought my jeep to my old job and had it done.

 

[corprin]

Make sure you ONLY use Dextron-III/Mercon as the manufacturer states. Other fluids will work, but not nearly as well as the fluid the transmission was built to run.

 

[srmitchell]

In my 01 xj- I always just disconnect the outlet hose from the tranny (it goes to the cooler) and I put the hose in a bucket.

Start the motor, and it will pump 1 gallon out of the trans. Fill it back up, drive round for a day or so, and repeat.

My fluid is a nice pink color. I've always been lazy, and I've never changed the filter- My long arm cross member is in the way, so I'd have to drop it to drop the trans pan.

It's on my to do list.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would just drop the pan, change the filter and clean the magnet, then fill it up. If your current fluid doesn't seem burnt or to have lost its viscosity it should be fine with just replacing the 40% or so that the pan holds. The extra heat caused by towing is what typically kills your fluid, most XJ's have never been used in such a manner.

 

[Logans91XJ]

Well I am about to move home with double axel uhaul trailer from Southern Cali to Northern Cali. About 400+ Miles. And yes I would only use Dextron and just seems simple to just turn the Jeep on and pump out all the old fluid and then fill up with new.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

............... and just seems simple to just turn the Jeep on and pump out all the old fluid and then fill up with new.

The problem is, it has 2 lines from the trans, the pressure line, and a return line.

Since it's a 'closed loop' through the cooler in the radiator, it's the pressure line that pushes the fluid back into the trans through the return line.

The return line will not 'suck' fluid from a bucket/container.


Depending on the year, most AW4's have a drain plug on the pan. You can get close to 3 quarts out by draining it this way.

I drained/refilled mine 3 times, then I dropped the pan and replaced the filter and topped it off again.


Since you're towing that large of a trailer, I'd recommend an auxiliary trans cooler be installed while you're changing the filter.

 

[Logans91XJ]

Okay thats good to know and about a month ago I installed a B&M trans cooler. I hope this help with my tow home and going up some steep grades. Im not gonna push the Jeep hard just going to take it easy and just let the motor work itself. After talking with my pops we both agreed that once I get home would be a great time to dump the trans fluid and fill it with fresh fluid. Maybe before I take off I will pull the drain plug and get whatever I can out and then refill.

 

[Logans91XJ]

Figured since I was installing a new JCR bumper I should do a trans cooler. Also about a year ago Installed a CSF 3 core all metal radiator, along with new hoses, waterpump, thermo, cap, belt and new fan clutch and fan. 3 months ago I did a complete flush and back flush on the radiator along with new thermo. Hopefully this should help.

 

[bldeagle10]

did my tranny fluid a while ago, pulled the drain plug, then the pan, lets just say, I have towed a lot, and my dad didn't know it had a tranny filter, so after 325k miles I was expecting a sludge hell but when I pulled it off, it was pretty spotless in there, the filter still looked new, his maintanence was just draining as much as he could and refilling, with replacing the filter I had to put 4 quarts of fluid in, used mobil 1 like I do with all my fluids, shifts like a dream still.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

ATF has a lot of detergents in it to keep things clean.

 

[corprin]

Well I am about to move home with double axel uhaul trailer from Southern Cali to NorCal. About 400+ Miles. And yes I would only use Dextron and just seems simple to just turn the Jeep on and pump out all the old fluid and then fill up with new.

FTFY

...try to refrain from using the term "Cali" when referring to the northern half of the state, especially if you are going to a mountainous region in the north.

Depending on weight of the towed package, and the route you are taking, I am sure you will be just fine. Keep the speeds down, and watch those temps.

 

[troy]

I had always just done the drain and refill at every other oil change interval. around 200K I decided to drop the pan and change the filter. It was spotless, and AW4 filters are just a metal mesh screen anyway. Still shifted great when I let her go at 270K.